The heavy blue glass bottle of pure cranberry juice slipped from my wet fingers, chipping the edge of the laminate counter before I caught it. A dark, red drop smeared across the white surface, looking remarkably like dry blood.
Clara did not look up from her smart watch. She tapped the glass face twice, her thumb moving in a quick, restless circle.
“There are three different facilities in the county with immediate openings,” Clara said.
She slid a glossy tri-fold brochure across the table, covering the spot where the laminate had chipped.
“I am only seventy-two, Clara, and my health is my own business.”
My voice was thin, but I kept my chin high and adjusted my silver hair clip. I poured the bitter, unsweetened juice into a tall glass, watching the dark liquid rise.
“We just want to look at the options before a winter slip makes the decision for us,” Clara said.
“I drink this to prevent bacterial adhesion,” I said, pointing to the blue bottle. “It keeps my system clean. I do not need options.”
Clara stood up and smoothed her gray slacks. “Greg says we need to be realistic about the stairs.”
She left the brochure on the table, its bright pictures of smiling seniors facing the ceiling.
At ten o’clock, the bell above the door of the local health food store chimed. Martha was already at the counter, her heavy canvas tote bag slung over her shoulder.
“You look like you slept on your side,” Martha whispered, leaning close as she eyed my basket.
I placed three more blue bottles of pure juice onto the black conveyor belt. “Clara is bringing senior living brochures into my kitchen.”
Martha glanced at the cashier, then lowered her voice further. “Greg was at the zoning office on Friday, asking about the average property values on our block.”
My hand went to my hair clip. “He is in commercial real estate, Martha. He looks at values everywhere.”
“He was asking specifically about your lot size, Evelyn,” Martha said, shifting her tote bag.
“He is just being supportive of Clara’s worries,” I said, handing the cashier my card. “He knows how much I love this house, and he wants to make sure we are protected.”
